Brander Au Natural Santa Ynez Sauvignon Blanc – 2001 – 9.2 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

A remarkable Sauvignon Blanc; a very complex and extremely interesting Sauvignon Blanc; bright, gorgeous, racy and absolutely distinct acids on finish; this wine gives a wide range of notes from Hibiscus, slight white pepper, Passionfruit and a delightful mineral back structure.  This 7 year old Sauvignon Blanc was absolutely delightful and demonstrates how wondrous Sauvignon Blanc can be.

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

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Leveroni Sonoma Valley Syrah – 2004 – 9.0 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This wine is very well balanced; completely generous with acid and tannin; wonderful notes of Anise, Sage, blackberry and Eucalyptus.  This wine was only $9.99 at the Wine Club in SF–I should have bought a case.  A 9.0 for wine for $10 is a rare thing.

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Wines for Thanksgiving 2008 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

I always begin the Thanksgiving Day with a wonderful bottle of Champagne or Sparkling wine; something fun, festive and delightful to usher in what is coming next.  I have included value priced wines that are not only within reach but also good quality wines that everyone will appreciate what you are pouring.

Please if you thought of reaching for a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau please put the brightly colored bottle down and move towards wines that are much better for your get together and will lend a longer term memory of what you what in your dinners—fun, festive and amazing wines.

Sparkling Wine / Champagne

Value Sparkling Wines
Domaine Chandon Brut
Gruet New Mexico Brut

These Champagnes of course are delightful and cost a lot more but if you are able to celebrate with a larger budget these are excellent wines that I enjoy.

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 1997
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs 2000
Ayala Brut Majeur N.V. – 9.0
Chartogne-Taillet Champagne N.V.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noirs are perfect for your Thanksgiving meal; very friendly for so many things and to so many palettes; this will go with Turkey or Pork.  Pinot Noirs are a delight and lend to the delight of good times and amazing food; this wine varietal seals the deal.

Value Pinot Noir
Castle Rock Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Castle Rock Mendocino Pinot Noir

W.H. Smith Maritime Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2006
Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Valley Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2004
Patz & Hall Chenoweth Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 2005
Inman Family Winery Olivet Grange Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – 2004
Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 2000 -
Scherrer Fort Ross High Slopes Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – 2004

Syrah – Shiraz

Syrah, a heavier body wine, like Pinot goes so well with many meats; smoked turkey and beef; there are many Syrah-Shiraz you don’t want; nothing that is a berry only expression of Syrah but a wine with complexity (herbaceousness, spice, wood, and a sense of Fall).

Value Syrah – Shiraz
Peter Lehmann Shiraz 2005
Leveroni Sonoma Valley Syrah 2004

Bink Hawk’s Butte Yorkville Highlands Mendocino Syrah – 2006
Sons of Eden Romulus Barossa Valley Shiraz
Two Hands Angel’s Share Barossa Valley Shiraz 2007
Montes Alpha Apalta Syrah 2006
Two Hands Lily’s Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006
Armagh Sonoma Coast Syrah

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Kaiken Mendoza Malbec – 2007 – 8.7 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This Malbec a slight notch down from it’s previous vintage;  A firm and bold wine; luxuriant tannins; notes give plum, blueberry, ground clove, cardamom, chocolate, cinnamon and sandelwood.

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Etude Carneros Heirloom Carneros Pinot Noir – 2005 – 9.1 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Like the Heirloom tomato a complex and lovely fruit; complex on every level scents that are haunting; those scents are usually of the orchard; and for me a Plum orchard is positively thrilling in Fall time.  This is a scent you will not forget.  The wine is dark and brooding but still vitreous; the wine has a dash of Eucalyptus and cacao and ground clove.  A wine for special occasions.

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Etude Sonoma Valley Merlot – 2005 – 8.8 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Technically this wine was well executed but emotionally my soul did not levitate to this wine; the wine was berry oriented but was not a complex wine that Merlot can be.  I was hopping for more spice, pepper, evocative wood and orchard notes.

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Etude Carneros Pinot Noir – 2006 – 9.0 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Etude’s Carneros Pinot Noir is reserved in this wine not a glossy, predictable Pinot Noir like many from Carneros which can be like cotton candy or overly reddened fruit; this Point Noir strikes an even balance between earthiness and a splendid rose petal – violet profile.  The earthiness is akin to lovely scented mushrooms and Fall leaves in an orchard.  Think subtlety and sophistication when you approach this wine.

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

James Cole Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 2004 – 9.1 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Velvety gorgeous tannins, Red plum and blueberry Confit; hints of Black Trumpet mushroom, cedar, underbrush, suede and nutmeg.

*

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Laird Family Napa Red Blend Jillian’s Blend – 8.7 – 2005 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

This wine is55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Syrah.  A blended wine with nearly equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah; giving notes of fallen leaves, plum orchard and Fall baking spices

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy

Laird Family Diamond Mountain Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon – 2003 – 9.1 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Truly the flagship wine for Laird Family; this is the last of the run!  Laird Family is no longer able to attain this wondrous mountain fruit.  The winery they were exchanging grapes wants this fruit for their own production.  If you get your hands on this bottle, cellar, save and savor.  This wine give thrilling blueberry, blackberry, Acai, Cardamom, Allspice, and evocative notes of leather and earth.

¡Salud!

***

A plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2008 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved.  James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

See James the Wine Guy channel for videos on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/user/jamesthewineguy